Houston Travel Information

Houston Vacations & Travel Tips

When to Go

It’s no secret that summers in Texas are hot, sometimes reaching 90 F and beyond. After all, that’s why air-conditioning was created. Winters are wonderfully mild, with temperatures often in the mid-50s. Fall and spring are your best bets for an enjoyable vacation, weather-wise, especially February to April when the rodeo is in town.

Featured Houston Hotel

Our 3.5-Star classification designates those properties where guests experience an ideal mix of comfortable accommodations and modern amenities. Most of these hotels feature a variety of services, and offer distinguished style and comfort. Half star indicates that the hotel/resort meets all criteria of the designated rating and exceeds in certain areas.

Houston

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria is the ideal base to access all of Houston's attractions, nightlife and more.

Weather

Subtropical and humid, with loads of sun and only about 50in of rain a year. The vicious summers are made more intolerable by the lack of a breeze. When the wind does come you'll know about it; Houston is no stranger to tropical storms and hurricanes. Winters are cool and temperate.

Getting Around

Houston has two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is served by major domestic and international airlines with two interterminal train systems connect passengers to all five terminals; William P Hobby Airport (HOU) is a main hub for Southwest Airlines and domestic travel.

Limited bus service is available to Bush Intercontinental Airport, making taxis and private shuttle buses a better bet. Bus service to Hobby Airport is more reliable. The Airport Direct bus runs between downtown and Bush Intercontinental throughout the day. Whereas SuperShuttle provides service from both Bush and Hobby airports. Both airports have car rental agencies.

Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority runs the convenient light-rail system. Most of the in-town sights are along the Downtown-Museum District- Reliant Park light-rail corridor. If you want to venture further, you'll need to rent a car; the bus system is mostly inefficient for visitors' needs.

By far the best way to get around Houston is with a car. Museum District sights are clustered together so you can ditch your wheels and walk around a bit. Other sights and attractions are far enough that driving is the only convenient way to reach them. Driving is on the right. Every major national car-rental agency can be found at either airport.

As a city built around the car, Houston has highways radiating in all directions.

Greyhound is the major bus carrier, with a web of services in all directions. Long-distance buses arrive at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, which is located between downtown and the Museum District, and two blocks from the Downtown Transit Center light-rail stop.

The Sunset Limited train stops at the Amtrak Station (902 Washington Ave) three times a week.

Entry Requirements

All US visa information is highly subject to change. US entry requirements keep evolving as national security regulations change. All travelers should double-check current visa and passport regulations before coming to the USA. The US State Department maintains the most comprehensive visa information, providing downloadable forms, lists of US consulates abroad and even visa wait times calculated by country.

Health and Safety

Don't worry if everyone seems to stay indoors in this town - they're more than likely escaping the mosquitos and the heat rather than each other. Houstonites are a particularly friendly bunch and will be more than happy to steer you away from any trouble spots. Areas to the east and southeast of downtown Houston can be sketchy at any time, but that description is by no means universal. Other than dangerous drivers, heat is probably the biggest danger. Summer temperatures over 100°F coupled with extreme humidity can exhaust a hardened cowboy: drink water and seek shade. As in any city, take precaution, lock your car and take valuables with you.

Fast Facts

Houston is the largest city in a state known for living large. Houston is a true melting pot. In fact, in 2012, it even surpassed Los Angeles and New York as the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the country. There are over 145 languages spoken here.

Little wonder Houston serves up so many eclectic restaurants. There are at least 10,000 or so, offering authentic cuisine from more than 70 countries and diverse American regions.

Houston boasts one of the largest rodeos in the world, a month-long event held during late-February and March, attracting around 2.5 million visitors. It also holds the biggest mall in Texas, the Houston Galleria. Here, shop ’til you drop can be taken quite literally.